ROUND-UP: Africans in the Football League

Francois Zoko was the standout man in the Football League this weekend, as his two goals earned Yeovil a very late comeback over Barnet.

It was back to normal in the Football League this weekend, with Leagues One and Two returning from their FA Cup exploits to continue their league campaigns.

Chuba Akpom’s 19th-minute strike from close range, converting a blocked Ahmed Elmohamady shot, saw Hull City win 1-0 at home to basement side Bolton Wanderers to move up to third. Elmohamady provided a cross just before half time for Akpom, who saw his effort saved before sending a shot wide 15 minutes from time. Elmohamady had a good chance with a header after five minutes for Hull, while Moses Odubajo and Mohamed Diame featured for the Tigers. Shola Ameobi saw a header saved two minutes into the restart, before being replaced midway through the first half.

Albert Adomah missed numerous good first-half chances for Middlesbrough, and another late on in the match as they were held to a goalless draw with Birmingham City. Emilio Nsue also had a chance of his own blocked early in the second half for Boro. Jacques Maghoma’s rising shot was also to be denied, as the Blues looked for a winner in the second half. Demarai Gray came to life for the visitors in the second half, seeing two attempts blocked within minutes of each other, before seeing an effort saved with 10 minutes to go. Viv Solomon-Otabor was brought on as a late substitute.

Jonathan Kodjia helped Bristol City to a 2-1 win away to Huddersfield Town with a seventh minute header giving the hosts the advantage, before their 29th-minute 2-0 goal lead was halved late in the second half by the Terriers. Kodjia could have got his second when his effort was saved just before half time, as City moved six points clear of the relegation zone.

El-Hadji Ba came on with ten minutes remaining for Charlton Athletic, as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Leeds United, with Tom Adeyemi missing some good late opportunities in the match for the visitors. The Nigerian hit wide with 15 minutes remaining, before striking the post shortly afterwards and missing a sitter late on, as both sides settled for a point.

Michael Mancienne saw a header blocked after half an hour, as his Nottingham Forest side drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had Carl Ikeme, Dominic Iorfa and Benik Afobe all featuring in their side.

Into League One, Barnsley took a three-goal lead at Colchester United after 60 minutes, before a late resurgence got them back to 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining. George Elokobi’s strike was saved moments after Colchester got themselves within a goal a point, but couldn’t find the goal they needed to stop Barnsley leaving with all three points as Macauley Bonne was introduced with 16 minutes remaining for the home side.

Cedric Evina missed the chance to give Doncaster Rovers the lead over Crewe, blazing over with just over ten minutes remaining, before a crazy end saw visiting Crewe take the lead, Rovers pulled level in added time and scored another moments later to steal the three points.

Souleymane Coulibaly squandered two good late chances to win it for Peterborough United, as they hosted Shrewsbury Town in a 1-1 draw. Sullay Kaikai missed an effort and saw another saved for the visitors, but played a part in the Shrews’ equalising goal.

Jonathan Obika saw an effort blocked for Swindon Town, as they beat Rochdale 2-1, while Adam El-Abd and Nicky Ajose also featuring for the Robins.

Over in League Two, Francois Zoko was the hero for Yeovil Town, as the home side came from 2-0 down to draw at home to Barnet, who were two goals up in the first half. Zoko headed in a Connor Roberts’ cross with ten minutes remaining, before a fine strike six minutes later completed the comeback.

Adebayo Akinfenwa’s shot from outside the box went close before the Dons took the lead over Stevenage. Armand Gnanduillet made an immediate impact for the visitors, seeing his shot blocked and two saved – one deep into added time. However, the Ivorian’s missed chances didn’t matter as Stevenage came out 2-1 winners.

Medy Elito missed two first-half chances for Newport County in their 4-3 away defeat to Notts County. Mawouna Amevor featured for the home side in the second half, while Zak Ansah was an unused substitute for Newport.

Jabo Ibehre saw a shot blocked shortly either side of half time for Carlisle, before missing from distance and failing to convert from close range late in the match, as they drew 1-1 at Oxford United.